HC Deb 17 December 1987 vol 124 c723W
22. Mr. Harris

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received about the number of environmentally sensitive areas.

Mr. Gummer

A host of organisations, representing the whole spectrum of countryside interests, have welcomed the speed with which the Government have increased the number of environmentally sensitive areas.

47. Mr. Win Griffiths

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farms are presently operating under the environmentally sensitive area scheme.

Mr. Gummer

In the nine months following the launch of the first environmentally sensitive areas over 1,600 applications were received by the Ministry and its counterparts in Wales and Scotland.

55. Mrs. Gillian Shephard

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what increase in resources has been made available to the environmentally sensitive areas.

Mr. Gummer

Earlier this year the Government announced that their annual budget for environmentally sensitive areas would be doubled to approximately £12 million.

63. Dr. Twinn

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the response by farmers in environmentally sensitive areas to the scheme.

Mr. Gummer

In the eight environmentally sensitive areas in England, Wales and Scotland we have received over 1,600 applications and formal inquiries covering 60,000 hectares or 150,000 acres.

32. Mr. Conway

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made in the operation of environmentally sensitive areas.

Mr. Gummer

The first eight environmentally sensitive areas were successfully launched earlier this year. On 30 November my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I laid before Parliament orders which will extend two of these areas and create a further six from 1 January 1988.

40. Mr. Rogers

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what will be the total area covered by environmentally sensitive areas in England and Wales once all those presently proposed are in operation.

Mr. Gummer

The total land area covered by the existing and proposed areas in England and Wales is estimated at approximately 470,000 hectares or 1,800 square miles.